Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-11-21
COLORED MINISTER'S PROTEST..
They Objected 60 q Building Tor q Col.
Orc0 school.

They Objected 90 q Building Tor q Col.
orcd school.
MEETING rms MORNING AT WHICH A UNION WAS
INDUSTRIAL SCHOOL DISCUSSED AND RESOLUTIONS
ADOPTED.
An adjourned meeting of the ministers Of the
colored churches OF the District was held this
morning at the Metropolitan A. NJ. E church, on
NJ street. between 18th and 10th streets NORTH
west, for the purpose OF forming ministerial
union. Rev. W. II. Phillips OF the Baptist church.
presided, and after devotional exercises the secre-
tary, Rev. Mr. Stewart, read the minutes OF the
meeting, held last Monday, which contained the
communication from Rev. DR.. Crummell, calling
the attention OF the ministers to the action OF the
school board In opposition TO the expressed wishes
OF the colored members, in proposing to locate Q
colored school In the building at the corner Of
Maryland avenue and Az street. The paper stated
that the Miller building, on street between 9Th
owing TO the protest Of citizens in that locality
against having the school there, the school trus-
tees had determined upon this other location. The
building on Maryland avenue had been used as q
house OF prostitution, was located amid bad, Inn
moral Influences and was inconyenient Of access
stated that action upon this communicated Was
deferred until the next meeting. The minutes
were approved, and the question OF forming
permanent organization was then brought up, and
II was decided TO form an association, 10 be known
as the Ministerial Union. A suggestion TO insert
the word sscolored" was made so as to limit the
membership to the pastors OF the colored churches
but this was not considered necessary. ON mo-
ton of Rev. Mr.. Stewart, the chair appointed
mel, and @. W. Lee, to report upon a plan OF
organization. The committee retired from the
% sS
choice OF the following officers: President, Rev. T.
G. stewart; secretary, Rev. Mr.. Timothy; treas
The same committee was authorized to prepare a
constitution. Rev: r. II. q. Dyson was elected
elected assistant secretary as these offices were
provided for In the constitution.
THE FouR-AND-A-HALF STREET SCHOOL QUESTION.
The subject Of the communication presented at
the last meeting, relative to the location OF the
colored school was then brought up.
Rev. Mr. Dyson called attention TO the fact that
II seemed to be the prevailing opinion that the OBJ
lection was to the house selected for the use OF the
school This was not the case, as tho protest was
on account OF the surroundings OF the house, and
Rev. Mr. stewart said that as far as he was per-
sonaliy concerned he had an objection to the us.
OF house for public school which had been de-
voted TO such purpose. He thought that such
place ought not to be selected. He objected to the
pen into church, ana, while this was not a lead
ing objection still 1t was one as far as he was con-
cerned.
Ing because he thought In doing so he might get
rid OF the surroundings There was no question
but that the objection to the Mary Hail build
ing. That was the coon he was barking at and he
Was OF the opinion that he would get rid OF all the
other coons in that vicinity which the legti.
Rev. DR.. Cruinneli said that while he did not
agree with the statement that theaters should not
be turned into churches yet he believed IN the
wrong and that 1t would be immoral to have
young girls go into house with the depraved as
so cat M which Were about TINS house;
lection to this location might be made in its close
proximity to the railroads, making its dangerous
for the young children who would be obliged to
Rev. Mr.. stewart said that the protest was
against the change OF the location OF the school
from place already selected, simply because of
prejudice against the col0red people.
Rev. MI. Anderson said that In his opinion the
public school authorities were not called upon to
make use OF the schools TO reform and purify
locality. The police force was for this purpose,
and If 1t was the desire OF the authorities to re-
move this plague spot they should make use OF the
agencies placed In their hands for this purpose,
and not the schools
RESOLUTIONS ADOPTED
Resolutions were adopted setting forth that "as
Information has come to this meeting that the
public school trustees OF the District of columbia,
In locating a proposed new school designed espe-
cially for colored children have given IN suita-
bic place on II street. near 9TH street northwest,
after the owner had fitted It up at his expense
under assurances that 1t would be occupied by the
school, and have selected instead the building
located at the corner OF Maryland avenue and Az
street. this meeting, composed OF the pastors or
nearly all the colOred peoples churches
OF the city in view OF the circumstances surround
ing the proposed taking and the subsequent giving
up OF the II street premises, and OF the notorious
reputation OF the neighborhood and the objection
| able immediate surroundings OF the house on
Maryland avenue, hereby earnestly protests
| objects to the establishment OF pubic school In
the place lately decided upon" and that 1--WE beg
to present to the Commissioners a fact that the
principle OF association is one OF the strongest OF
our nature; that in young people IT is especially
vivid and that the use or this notorious building
| as a school cannot but be demoraliZing 70 our
youth"
| committee, consisting OF Revs 7. g. Stewart,
| g. w. Lee, r. II. g. Dyson, W. j. Walker, Alex.
Crummell and w. B. Johnson, were appointed TO
present these resolutions to the District Commits
NonerS. The association then adjourned.